Celtic on the cusp of league title
By Gary Culbert
It was goals galore in the North Tipperary & District League last week.
LOUGH DERG 6-4 KILLAVILLA UTD
The home side were top of the league heading into this one, and they knew that dropping points would all but rule them out of the title race due to Nenagh Celtic’s games in-hand.
The away side took the lead after only eight minutes and doubled their advantage soon after, however the league-leaders rallied and found a way back into the game through a David Cassidy free-kick. The Killavilla defence will feel that this was an avoidable goal, but Lough Derg did not have to be asked twice for a route back into the game.
Fifteen minutes in, the sides were level, Jack O’Mahoney smashing home his twelfth goal of the season, a well-taken strike which leaves him in pole position for the Premier Division Golden Boot.
Just a minute later the Premier Division debutants took the lead from the penalty spot, Stephen McCarthy converting from twelve-yards after Luke Hession was fouled.
The Killaloe/Ballina men had their tails up now, after 25 minutes they were 5-2 up against a side who had humbled them in the reverse fixture. The goal came off the back of a Ricky Mowat corner, Eoin Sheedy getting a telling flick to send the visiting keeper to collect the ball from his net for a fifth time in 25 minutes.
Killavilla got one back just before the break to leave themselves just 5-3 down heading into the break. They closed the margin to the minimum with ten minutes remaining, but Lough Derg caught them on the break, Jack O’Mahoney on target after some fine work by Darragh Hickey.
BORROWAY ROVERS 4-1 MONEYGALL
Borroway Rovers overcame Moneygall thanks to a brace from Jake Moore and goals from Calum O'Connor - his eight of the season, and a Seamus Woodlock strike. The away side were three down at half-time, but a Paul Costello strike ensured that the second half was an even affair.
Elsewhere, Nenagh Celtic picked up three points from their home fixture with Thurles Town which was awarded as a walkover.
BORROWAY ROVERS 1-3 NENAGH CELTIC
Nenagh Celtic travelled to Thurles on Sunday to take on Borroway Rovers, knowing that a win would leave them two points away from the NT&DL Premier Division title.
The visitors started quickly and were 3-0 up at half-time thanks to a Cillian Fennell goal and a brace from Szymon Popiela which brings his tally to nine for the season. The in-form forward is now only four goals shy of the top scorer in the Premier Division.
The home side got one back in the second half, but Celtic held out for a fine 3-1 away win.
Ballymackey 2-2 Thurles Town
Ballymackey hosted the relegated Thurles Town on Sunday and the points were shared with the Ballinree side’s goals coming through Cathal Spillane and Thomas Sheppard.
Division 1
News filtered through last week that Sallypark had become the third team – joining Cloughjordan and Nenagh Celtic ‘B’ - to withdraw from competing in the remaining fixtures of the 2020 season. Despite Sallypark having no points on the board, these latest developments have provided a lot of clarity as to what direction the relegation and promotion race in Division 1 is heading.
Heading into the round, one relegation spot remained but two teams – Ardcroney and Arra Rovers - were in danger of occupying it come the end of the season. Ardcroney were two points clear of Arra Rovers after the walkover points from Sallypark’s remaining fixtures were handed out.
This meant that Arra Rovers had their fate in their own hands prior to hosting the newly crowned champions Clodiagh Rangers last Wednesday. It was a tightly contested affair, the sides were level with two goals apiece at half-time and the full-time score was 3-3. The home sides goals came through a Ruadhan Mulrooney brace and Will Fogarty strike. Matty Stakelum got his fourth and fifth goals of the season for the champions, whilst John Ryan netted his fourth of the season.
Following their draw midweek, Arra Rovers hosted Ardcroney on Sunday in a huge relegation six-pointer. As this was Ardcroney’s final game of their campaign was crucial that they did not lose. However, Arra were fired up for this one and took a one goal lead into the break courtesy of a Ciaran Willis finish - his fifth of the season.
The hosts went three goals clear thanks to Ruadhan Mulrooney and Will Fogarty, respectively. Ardcroney rallied and found the net through Jack Daly and Ross Austin, however despite this defiance they ultimately came up short on a 4-2 scoreline and their relegation was confirmed. Aodhan Ryan netted the fourth for Arra Rovers, who can look forward to Division 1 football in Newtown next season.
When Rearcross travelled to Borrisokane on Sunday they knew that a win would leave them in with a chance of promotion, heading into the final round, whilst Borrisokane will have been eager to remove one team from the three-horse promotion race.
The visitors took the lead, but Gordon Harding levelled with a fine header. Again, the away-side took the lead, and again Harding managed to pull his team level with a header. The match ended 2-2, with Rearcross’ goals coming from Michael O'Gorman and James Deegan, who brought their tallies to thirteen and seven goals respectively, for the season.
Division 2
Last Wednesday, Moneygall ‘B’ were set to host Silvermines in the only midweek fixture for this round but were awarded a 3-0 win.
The Offaly men were again playing host at the weekend, this time coming out the wrong end of an eight-goal thriller against Holycross. The visitors were 2-1 up at half-time and won 5-3. Holycross found the net through a Jojo O’Meara hat-trick and goals from Mike Nally and Ben Slattery. Billy Hayes became the third highest scorer in Division 2 with his two goals for Moneygall, whilst Conor Longe scored his fifth goal since the league recommenced.